Riverside County D.A. revs up search for 2 fugitives

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office released information on two men wanted for killings in the Coachella Valley in the late 1990s.

Jose Daniel Ostorga, 48, is wanted for the fatal shooting of an acquaintance, Jose Benavidez, on Jan. 10, 1998. Benavidez was found dead from a gunshot wound in the 91100 block of Sixth Street in Mecca.

Witnesses told deputies that Benavidez and Ostorga and had been at a party somewhere else, according to Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer John Hall.

“On the way back, the two men — who had known each other for years — began to argue. When they arrived at the home on Sixth Street, Ostorga went inside, got a gun, came back out and shot the victim several times,” Hall said.

Ostorga was identified by Benavidez’s family and friends as the alleged shooter.

Ostorga has relatives in Mexico and El Salvador, Hall said. Ostorga was 5 feet 9 inches tall, 177 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. He had no known tattoos or gang affiliations.

The other fugitive is 56-year-old Alfredo Morales Rosas, who is wanted for the March 10, 1999 fatal shooting of Guadalupe Ojeda in Cathedral City.

Ojeda was found in the 30300 block of San Luis Rey Drive with multiple gunshot wounds, and died at a hospital. He and Rosas were friends and had been living together at Ojeda’s home, Hall said.

“Family members of the victim heard the two men arguing before Rosas pulled out a gun and shot Ojeda,” Hall said.

Rosas was seen running with the gun to a car. The driver of that car identified Rosas as the person arguing with Ojeda before the shots were fired.

Rosas has relatives in Cathedral City and was believed to have fled to Mexico, Hall said.

Rosas was 5 feet 4 inches tall, 136 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He had no known tattoos or gang affiliations.

To report information on either man, call (855) 212-2824 or (760) 341-7867. Tips can be anonymous and eligible for a reward valued up to $1,000.